https://www.sweethealth.co.uk/blogs/sweet-natural-health.atomSweet Health UK - Sweet Natural Health2018-09-01T23:07:00+01:00Sweet Health UKhttps://www.sweethealth.co.uk/blogs/sweet-natural-health/shilajit-the-destroyer-of-weakness-natures-super-tonic2018-09-01T23:07:00+01:002018-09-01T23:12:02+01:00"The Destroyer of Weakness" - Nature's Super TonicIlyas Khan
About 50 million years ago, the Indian continent collided into Asia and formed the Himalayan mountain range. As the mountains formed, tropical forests were crushed and compacted between massive boulders. The compressed forests gradually transformed into a nutrient- and mineral-rich biomass loaded with medicinalhumic and fulvic acids. Now, every summer as the mountains warm, India’s most prized herbal remedy literally oozes from these biomass resins in the high mountain crevasses.

[Please note: Although available in powdered forms nowadays, these generally only contain small amounts of the resin (if that) and other fillers - traditionally it has always been produced and used in resin form, which is very sticky and changes consistency with heat]

Genuine purified Shilajit is a black gummy matrix of minerals, fulvic acid and other beneficial phytochemicals. Depending on the ambient temperature, it will become gooey and sticky when warm and when cold it becomes more firm and solid.

*This unique quality of changing consistency in concert with ambient temperature is only found with 100% pure and genuine shilajit and is an important indication of authenticity.

Known as Shilajit, this resinous and nutrient-rich biomass has been touted for millennia by Ayurveda’s Materia Medica as the best carrier of energy and nutrition into the human body. Modern science has recently proven this by identifying fulvic and humic acids, which are found in abundance in Shilajit, as the main substances responsible for energy production within the cell. (1) Science is just beginning to understand the implications of fulvic acid rich nutrients like Shilajit.

Known in India as the Destroyer of Weakness, Shilajit’s other primary component are DBPs (dibenzo alpha pyrones), which is the “energizer bunny component.”

It seems that via this component, Shilajit supports deep rejuvenation and energy production. In one study, participants took just 200mg of Shilajit each day for 15 days and the available energy in their blood after vigorous exercise was equivalent to the levels of available energy before starting exercise. That’s the “energizer bunny component” in action! (2)

Recent studies on Shilajit show that it delivers energy and nutrients to the cell at astonishing levels. In one study mice underwent strenuous exercise and had their energy (ATP) expenditure measured with and without Shilajit. The energy depleted twice as fast in the group that did not take the Shilajit. (3)

For thousands of years Shilajit has been used to help support:

Energy

Memory

Mood

Absorption of vital nutrients

Enhanced potency and effectiveness of other nutrients

Sharp intelligence

Balanced blood sugar

Efficient detoxification

Optimal oxygenation and the body’s natural antioxidant response

Renew Your Cells

Shilajit is known for its ability to rejuvenate a cell by driving oxygen and nutrients into the cell (4) and supporting the body’s natural antioxidant activity, whereby the body rids itself of free radicals. (5)

Traditionally, Shilajit was described as a yoga vahi, meaning that whatever is taken with it will be enhanced due to Shilajit’s ability to bring any nutrient into solution and drive it into the cell.

In one study CoQ10, which boosts energy in heart, liver and kidney cells, was enhanced by 29% with the addition of Shilajit. (6)

Synergistic herbs to Shilajit are Ashwagandha (sometimes spelled Ashwaganda) and Amalaki. When added in small amounts to a Shilajit formula, these herbs naturally enhance and maximize Shilajit’s boons.

With qualities like those, Sweet Health will be looking to provide high quality, traditionally purified Shilajit resin, directly supplied from source for our customers, fully certified and tested.

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https://www.sweethealth.co.uk/blogs/sweet-natural-health/let-food-be-thy-medicine2018-09-01T23:07:00+01:002018-09-01T23:07:46+01:00Let food be thy medicine...Ilyas Khan
The healing properties of food have been reported by cultures worldwide throughout history. However, the past decade has presented an explosion of clinical research to show specifically what health benefits individual foods can offer, identifying the various nutrients and phytochemicals associated with these benefits.

A variety of fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed whole foods have properties that can benefit our health. Studies in the past decade have taken nutritional research beyond protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Chemicals in the plants called phytochemicals have been a specific focus in the past decade, offering benefits such as cancer prevention, cholesterol reduction, and hormone regulation, to name a few.

Many people are now turning away from antibiotics, flu remedies and other man-made chemical “drugs” - things we usually would have taken at the merest hint of a sneeze, exposing our bodies to all sorts of side-effects. Luckily, there are many ways to heal your body without hitting the medicine cupboard or pharmacy. We know the range of healing foods is vast - as it seems nature has provided for every eventuality - so check out this list of some well-known healing foods and their benefits:

(We'll be updating with further healing foods in future blog posts, but you can also follow our Twitter for regular bursts of information goodness)

The antibiotic: Garlic

Garlic has long had a reputation as a natural antibiotic. In fact, one study by researchers from the University of East London found that the allicin present in garlic was effective against the most antibiotic-resistant strains of "superbug" MRSA. Whilst we can't advise you to ditch the antibiotics without seeking professional advice, for conditions such as acne where long-term antibiotic use is required, it may be worth considering garlic as a natural alternative.

The flu remedy: Sidr Honey

Sidr honey is packed with antioxidants and is also renowned for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. This powerful honey can be used to help treat many conditions including ulcers, acne and digestive problems, and it is also a good treatment for the flu and common cold (especially when combined with ginger and lemon in a tea). The honey is not only a great immune-booster, but its antiviral properties help protect against cold and flu symptoms while its antibacterial properties can tackle the bacteria that can lead to a sore throat. Sidr Honey has also been shown in studies to kill “superbugs” such as MRSA. Incidently, it can also be used topically for things like acne and other ailments including wounds and burns.

The digestive aid: Peppermint tea

If you're suffering from nausea, flatulence or IBS, a cup of peppermint tea may help sort you out. Peppermint has a mildly anesthetic effect on the stomach lining, which can help reduce nausea. In addition to this, it is also an antispasmodic, meaning that it can help relieve muscle spasms along the digestive tract, helping with the painful symptoms of IBS. A powerful superherb with a range of other benefits as well.

The antacid: Bananas

If you regularly suffer from heartburn or indigestion, it may be worth adding more bananas to your diet. Bananas are renowned for their antacid properties, which can soothe painful heartburn as well as protecting against stomach ulcers. As an added bonus, bananas can also decrease risk of stroke and lower blood pressure, making them an extremely healthy alternative to antacid medication.

The anti-depressant: Chocolate/Cacao

Chocolate (and we mean dark or cacao) is known to be high in mood-boosting chemicals, and findings published in the scientific journal Nutritional Neuroscience have suggested that the food can help reduce the symptoms of depression. The popular treat is not only high in magnesium, which can aid relaxation, but it contains anandamide, a neurotransmitter which can help regulate mood, and phenylethylamine, which raises endorphin levels. However, the mood-boosting food should still be eaten in moderation if your preferred 'version' has high amounts of processed sugar!

The sleep aid: Oats

If you're struggling to get a good night's sleep, try eating a small bowl of porridge before bedtime to help you drift off. Oats are a good natural source of melatonin, which is often taken as a sleep aid due to its ability to help regulate the body's internal clock. On top of this, they are also a rich source of tryptophan, which helps the brain to produce more melatonin as well as the relaxing chemical serotonin.

The anti-inflammatory: Turmeric/curcumin

Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory property has been a topic of intense research, especially for getting relief from arthritis and other inflammation conditions in the body. Many of these conditions are treated with drugs which have very adverse side-effects. The anti-inflammatory action of this herb mimics the action of many of these drugs but without harmful side-effects normally associated with them! In a clinical trial, patients with rheumatoid arthritis who took turmeric supplement found that the stiffness of the joint was considerably reduced along with decrease in swelling around the joint. In fact, its effect was no less than other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The antihistamine: Stinging Nettle

Popular among Western herbalists for centuries, stinging nettle extract contains natural antihistamines that block the body’s response to allergens, like pollen. A double-blind study conducted by National College of Naturopathic Medicine found that around half the participants reported a freeze-dried preparation of stinging nettle was more effective or as effective as pharmaceutical allergy remedies.

The travel sickness remedy: Ginger

Ginger is an all-round good health food, being high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. However, ginger's most reputed benefit is its effectiveness at treating all types of nausea, making it a great alternative to motion sickness tablets when travelling. To help ease the nausea associated with travel sickness, try eating crystallised ginger or ginger biscuits, or drink some ginger tea or ginger ale.

There are MANY others we could have listed - this has been in no particular order - and we'll expand on these in future. Hopefully this snippet has shown just how powerful the healing affects of food can be, and given you 'food for thought' the next time you look for something to provide systematic or root cause relief in any ailment. Always remember: YOU are at the head of your personal medical team and directly responsible for your own health.